Seal Sitter founder Brenda Peterson spoke at the Alki Community Council meeting last night. She gave an overview of our organization and the conservation work we do in the community. Read the West Seattle Blog’s coverage here.

Seal Sitters was invited to speak at the American Cetacean Society last night. First Responder Robin Lindsey showed photographs and discussed our work - watching over seals on the beach, as well as our increasing role as part of the NW Stranding Network, interfacing with NOAA and WDFW. Zoologist and education specialist Buzz Shaw discussed biology and habits of pinnipeds. We thank President Uko Gorter and ACS so much for inviting us!

Seal Sitters founder and renowned author Brenda Peterson is the cover story of City Arts magazine (Feb 2010), where she discusses her newest book I Want to be Left Behind: Finding Rapture Here on Earth. Two chapters in the memoir are about seals and seal sitting. The book has received national acclaim and has been named to the Indie list of best books of 2010. Congratulations, Brenda! Brenda will be reading from her book at a number of bookstores in February, including Seattle locations:

Seal Sitters founding member and scientific advisor, Dr. Toni Frohoff of TerraMar Research, has been receiving much media attention in the past few months. She was a featured story in the December issue of Santa Barbara magazine where she discusses her newest project, POD (Protect Our Dolphins), based in Santa Barbara. Toni received worldwide exposure in a New York Times magazine article about watching gray whales in the birthing lagoons of Baja, Mexico. The list grows to include Discovery Channel and Muse magazines, as well as a feature in a Greek magazine and NPR radio interview about the whales. Congratulations, Toni!

Seals Sitters, both new and seasoned, spent many long hours over the past two weeks making sure that pups on our shore have rested safely.

Often out at the crack of dawn and lingering well past dark, our volunteers put the needs of pups before their own needs and busy lives. But it is truly a labor of love ~ and volunteers reap the rewards of a unique glimpse into the world of marine mammals and of the human friendships that are borne out of time spent on the beach.

Some volunteers brought their children to “seal sit” and learn about seals while the pups entertained them with their yawns, stretches and periodic swims in the water below. It was also an extraordinary opportunity for Seal Sitters’ older youths to witness wildlife first-hand ~ sometimes even earning extra credit at school by seal sitting.Seal Sitters thanks the many volunteers who have donated time this season. If you are a trained volunteer who has yet to be called, please email us and let us know the dates and times you are available!